CVE-2011-1340 in plone
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in skins/plone_templates/default_error_message.pt in Plone before 2.5.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the type_name parameter to Members/ipa/createObject.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1340 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Plone content management system that affects versions prior to 2.5.3. This weakness exists in the default_error_message.pt template file located within the skins/plone_templates directory structure, specifically when processing the type_name parameter during object creation operations through the Members/ipa/createObject endpoint. The flaw enables remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content directly into the application's error handling mechanism, creating a persistent vector for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the Plone template processing system. When the type_name parameter is passed through the Members/ipa/createObject URL path without proper sanitization, the application fails to escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This occurs because the default_error_message.pt template directly incorporates user-supplied input into the rendered HTML response without adequate security measures such as HTML entity encoding or context-appropriate escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affects how the application handles error conditions when object creation fails, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered during normal user operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1340 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, defacement of web pages, data theft, and redirection to malicious sites. An attacker could craft a malicious type_name parameter that, when processed by the vulnerable Plone system, would execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of authenticated users' browsers. This could lead to complete compromise of user sessions, unauthorized access to sensitive content, and potential lateral movement within the organization's network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates through the standard object creation pathway, making it difficult to distinguish from legitimate user activity and thus harder to detect through routine monitoring.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws due to insufficient input validation and output encoding. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes phishing with malicious attachments or links that exploit web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to Plone version 2.5.3 or later, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values. Additionally, regular security assessments and code reviews should focus on template processing mechanisms to ensure proper output encoding is implemented throughout the application's codebase, particularly in error handling and user-facing components that process external input.